Fencing system tensioning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A fence system tensioning apparatus for tensioning a section of fencing material extending between support fence posts. The tensioner is rotatable with a rotation tool such as a wrench without contacting the outer side walls of a generally cylindrical sleeve member. The sleeve may be rotated 360° about its rotational axis. A fencing material connection member on the sleeve receives and retains fencing material as the sleeve is rotated by turning rotational members and the material tensioned. A lock nut assembly is attached to the sleeve to prevent rotation of the sleeve after the material has been properly tensioned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Applicant's invention relates to an improved tensioning member for a fence construction system. More particularly, the invention relates to a system utilizing a high tensile wire jacketed by a polymer coating.

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,429, issued Nov. 28, 2000, and incorporated herein for all purposes, teaches and discloses a unique tensioning system for fence construction which utilizes multi-strand, high tensile wire jacketed by a polymer coating. The system taught by U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,429 also may be used with other multi-stand fencing.

[0003] The present invention more specifically relates to an improved tensioning member for simultaneously tensioning a multiplicity of generally spaced apart wire strands in a length of fencing materials. The improved tensioner allows for simplicity of manufacture and reduced costs while still maintaining the advantages afforded by the device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,429. Further, the new tensioner may be rotated to tension the fencing material without having the rotation tool contact the outer wall of the tensioner sleeve.

[0004] The present invention is an apparatus for tensioning a fence line having a plurality of fence post members that are disposed in an array so as to enclose or divide a given area of land. The improved tensioner is preferably used with a fencing material having a multiplicity of high tensile strength wires or fibers ensheathed in a casing material. The casing encloses the wires or fibers and retains them in a fixed spatial arrangement. However, the tensioner may be used with other types of multi-strand fencing constructions.

[0005] A generally cylindrical sleeve member is provided with a fixed journal to allow the sleeve to rotate a fill 360° about the rotational axis of the sleeve. A fencing material connector on the sleeve receives and retains the fencing material to the sleeve as the journal is rotated about its rotational axis. One or more rotation members are attached to the sleeve to enable the operator to rotate the tensioner sleeve without contacting or damaging the outer walls of the sleeve. A locking system is attached to the journal to prevent rotation of the sleeve after the fencing material has been adequately tensioned between the support posts.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, an elongated journal extends through the center of the sleeve and is fixed to the sleeve by a base plate rigidly attached to the sleeve. One end of the journal extends through an opening in a top plate also rigidly attached to the sleeve. In a second embodiment, the journal is divided into upper and lower stub ends. Only a short section of each stub end of the journal extends above the top plate and base plate, respectively.

[0007] The system for preventing rotation of the sleeve includes a series of lock nuts disposed on exposed portions of the journal. The lock nuts are loosened to allow rotation of the sleeve and journal until the appropriate tension is achieved; then, the lock nuts are tightened to prevent further rotation of the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The function and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments, taken together with the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0009]FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of a fence line system utilizing one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 1B is a partial front elevation view of a mounting bracket element of the present invention on an intermediate post.

[0011]FIG. 1C is a side view of a mounting bracket of the present invention on an intermediate post with a section of fencing passing therethrough.

[0012]FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the tensioner of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2B shows a side elevation view of the assembled embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A mounted to post bracket arms.

[0014]FIG. 3A details an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the tensioner of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 3B illustrates a side elevation view of the assembled embodiment of FIG. 3A mounted to post bracket arms.

[0016]FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of a first termination post in the present fence system.

[0017]FIG. 4B shows a top plan view of the present tensioner with a section of fencing inserted in the connection member and shims being used.

[0018]FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention mounted to a support post, but without fencing materials attached to the tensioner.

[0019]FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present tensioner with a pre-assembled mounting bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020]FIG. 1A illustrates a fence line (300) system constructed by implementing the improved tensioner of the present invention. First termination post (60) is braced against the tension of fencing material (20) by the combination of brace post (70) and angle brace (40). Fencing material (20) is attached to first termination post (60), as is well known and taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,429, and stretched across intermediate posts (50) as needed, until encountering second termination post (65). Fencing material (20) is pulled tightly across the distance between first termination post (60) and second termination post (65) by means of tensioning member (80). Second termination post (65) is also braced in a fashion similar to that described for first termination post (60), utilizing a brace post (70) and an angle brace (40).

[0021] All of the posts used in this invention (50, 60, 70) are inserted into the ground at ground level (200) to a distance approximately equal to the distance each post extends above the ground. Each post (50, 60 and 70) is preferably set into concrete, but may simply be set into the ground, with dirt tamped against it for stability.

[0022] While intermediate posts (50) are shown in FIG. 1A, they may not be necessary for short runs of fence line (300). That is, for runs of less than approximately thirty feet, only termination assemblies (10) consisting of first or second termination posts (60 or 65) and brace posts (70) in combination with angle braces (40) are required. Also, while only a single line of fencing material (20) is shown in FIG. 1, it may be preferable to have two or three lines of fencing material applied along fence line (300) (e.g., attached at levels of 1, 3, and 5 feet for a 6 foot high fence post). Further, the fencing material illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 4 incorporate three spaced apart high tensile wires jacketed by a fencing webbing extending within the space between the wires. In some cases, a single jacketed wire may be used. Once all of the lines of fencing material (20) have been applied to fence line (300), mounting brackets (30) may be attached to intermediate posts (50) (as needed) to slidably secure and support fencing material (20) against intermediate posts (50).

[0023] First termination post (60) and second termination post (65) are preferably fabricated from 2⅞ inches O.D. iron pipe, approximately 12 ft. long, for a 6 ft. high fence. Each post as a longitudinal axis Y. The posts could be of varying sizes to serve as gates. Intermediate posts (50) are likewise preferably constructed from the same material. Brace posts (70) are preferably constructed from 2½ inches O.D. iron pipe, approximately 10 ft. long for a 6 ft. high fence.

[0024]FIG. 1B shows the front view of a mounting bracket (30), which is used to slidably attach fencing material (20) to intermediate posts (50). Mounting bracket (30) may be attached to intermediate posts by welding, screws, rivets or any other convenient and economical means (31). As can be seen in FIG. 1C, mounting bracket (30) is set off from intermediate post (50) by spacer (32). This provides the proper spacing for fencing material (20) to slidably pass through the void created between mounting bracket (30) and intermediate post (50). Mounting brackets (30) are necessary to the proper construction of fence line (300) for proper containment of larger livestock, which may tend to lean against the fencing material (20) and distort the normal location of fencing material (20) with respect to intermediate post (50).

[0025]FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the improved tensioning member (80) which may be attached to second termination post (65) and is used to tighten fencing material (20) along its entire length. It should be understood that such a bracket may also be attached to first termination post (60).

[0026] Improved tensioning member (80) consists of generally cylindrical upright sleeve (82) preferably constructed from 3 inches I.D. iron pipe, and approximately 10 inches long. Sleeve (82) has a rotational axis X. Sleeve (82) is provided with a split or gap (84) along one side wall which functions as a fencing connection member. (FIG. 3A illustrates an alternative connection member 84A).

[0027] A top plate (85) is fixed to sleeve (82) at a first end (81) by welding or other conventional fastening mechanism such as screws, adhesives, and the like. Top plate (85) is provided with a rotational nut (87A) rigidly affixed to the top plate (85). Rotational nut (87) enables the operator to use a conventional open-end wrench or the like to rotate the sleeve (82) 360° about the rotational axis (X) of the sleeve when the tensioner is mounted to a support or termination post along the fence system. Prior art devices required a pipe wrench attached to the sleeve to rotate the member, and this sometimes caused damage to the sleeve surface, or interfered with the fencing material wrapping about the sleeve.

[0028] A bottom plate (89) is likewise rigidly affixed to the second end (83) of sleeve (82). A second rotational nut 87B is rigidly affixed to the bottom plate (89) The second rotational nut gives the operator a second location for attaching a wrench to rotate the sleeve without having to clamp on the outside wall of the sleeve.

[0029] A journal (91) extends through the sleeve (82) along the rotational axis (X). A top section (93) of the journal is threaded and passes through top plate (85) and rotational nut (87A) while a lower threaded end (95) extends outwardly beyond bottom plate (89) and rotational nut (87B) when the journal is properly disposed within the sleeve (82).

[0030] Upper lock nut (97) and lower lock nut (99) may be tightened on the journal (91) to prevent further rotation after adequate tension has been transmitted to the fencing material.

[0031]FIG. 2B illustrates a side elevation view of this first embodiment (80) assembled. A post mounting bracket has two mounting arms (103 and 105) each having an opening or hole to allow journal (91) to rotate, thus, turning the sleeve (82) as previously discussed. The arms (103 and 105) attach the tensioner (80) to a support post (65) as shown in FIG. 1A. Other mechanisms may be effectively used to secure the tensioner (80) on the post.

[0032]FIGS. 3A and 3B detail a second embodiment of the new tensioner (80A). Tensioner (80A). has a modified fence connection member (84A). The connection member is attached to sleeve (82) by welding screws, rivets or other convenient and economical mechanisms. Fencing connection member (84A) is used to accept the insertion of the high tensile wires from the fencing material. Member (84A) may be provided with grooves to secure the individual wires of a multi-strand fencing material.

[0033] It should be further noted that the embodiment of the tensioner (84A) shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B utilizes short journal sections (93A and 95A) to attach the tensioner to the mounting bracket. In FIG. 3A, an inverted bolt-like unit (107) may be rigidly affixed (as by welding) to the top plate (85) with the bolt head (87A′) welded to the plate (85). The bolt head 87A′ becomes the rotational nut for turning the sleeve. A threaded stub (93A) extends upwardly and passes through the opening in the upper mounting arm (105) and receives lock nut (97).

[0034] The bottom plate (89) is provided with yet another embodiment of a journal section (91′). This short journal passes through a hole (not shown) in the bottom plate (89) and is rigidly attached to the sleeve (82) through rotational nut (87B′) which is affixed to the bottom plate (89). The preference to use the inverted bolt unit (107), the extended journal (91) of FIGS. 2A and 2B, or the short journal (91) of FIGS. 3A and 3B, is a function of the manufacturing and assembly techniques used and the cost of materials.

[0035] The use of the bolt head (87A′) in the inverted bolt unit (107) and rotational nut (87B′) enables the operator to easily rotate the sleeve without attaching a pipe wrench or clamp to the outer surface of the sleeve. This facilitates easy rotation of the sleeve to tension the fencing material.

[0036]FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a first termination post (60). Here it can be more clearly seen that fencing material (20) which is composed of a jacketed wire or fiber, but can be of any material which proves a webbed surface, a moderate amount of flexibility, and wires (25) or other elements which can be exposed for bending. In this case, the fencing material (20) has been fabricated so as to remove jacketing or webbing material (27) and expose high-tensile wire (25). Insert hole or slot (26) has been cut into first termination post (60) so that wire (25) may be inserted into insert slot (26) and then fencing material (20) is wrapped tightly around first termination post (60) so as to cover the insertion point. Fencing material (20) may also be wound several times around the outer circumference of first termination post (60) to provide additional friction holding capability to prevent the extraction of wire (25) from insert hole (26) when fencing material (20) is subjected to the stress of high winds or an animal leaning against fence line (300). In practice, fencing material (20) usually contains two or three high-tensile wires (25). Therefore, two or three corresponding insert holes (26) may be made in first termination post (60) to accommodate all of high-tensile wires (25). As a short-cut procedure, insert slot (26) may be fabricated as a single slot which is long enough to accept the entire width of jacketing material (27). This allows for very rapid erection of fence line (300), since jacketing material (27) does not have to be removed to expose high-tensile wires (25). Fully jacketed fencing material (20) may be simply inserted into the slot (26) and wrapped tightly around first termination post (60) so as to cover the insertion point. This method of fabrication is actually stronger and can be accomplished much faster than by removing jacketing material (27) to expose high-tensile wires (25) for insertion into separate holes.

[0037] In practice, it has been found that the placement or insertion of shim material (29) between layers of fence webbing (27) and in the space between the jacketed wires (25) creates a smooth outer surface to the fencing material when tensioned. This smooth outer surface reduces the stresses on the webbing materials, eliminating or, at least, reducing cracking.

[0038] It should further be understood that the connection of the fence material (20) to the first termination post assembly (10) may be achieved through the use of a tensioning member (80).

[0039] Turning now to FIG. 4B, a top view of the improved tensioning member (80) can be seen. More particularly, the use of tensioning member (80) is illustrated in detail. Member (80) may be attached to post (65) with the tensioner and post axises (X and Y) parallel. As is the case with first termination post (60), fencing material (20) is fabricated so as to remove jacketing material (27) and expose wire (25). However, in this case, wire (25) is inserted into slot (84) of the sleeve. The slot (84) is the fencing material connection member (84 or 84A) (in another embodiment). A suitable wrench is then applied to a rotation nut (87A, 87A′, 87B, or 87B′) of tensioning member (80 or 80A) so as to enable the person tensioning the fence to rotate the outer sleeve (82) about axis X to tighten fencing material (20) along the entire length of fence line (300). This tightening action may be accomplished by turning tensioning bracket (80) in a clockwise or counter-clockwise fashion around the rotational axis (X). Thus it may be seen in FIG. 4B that tensioning member (80) can rotate fully 360° around the axis X. When the correct tension is reached, locking nut (46) is tightened by the use of an appropriate wrench until sleeve (82) no longer rotates and holds the proper tension on the fence material. This has the effect of securing the newly tightened fencing material along the entire length of fence line (300)

[0040] It should also be understood that the sleeve (82) may be rotated by turning either the upper or lower rotational nuts (87A, 87A′, 87B, 87B′) and locked by tightening either upper or lower locknuts (97 or 99). As is apparent from this description, a single fence constructor may simultaneously tighten tensioning member (80) and lock locking bolt (46). No complicated ratchet systems, or other devices, are necessary to tighten the entire length of fencing material (20) along the fence line (300).

[0041] In FIG. 5 a tensioner (80) is attached to a support post (60) by upper and lower mounting brackets (106 and 108). Post mounting arms (105 and 106) are attached to the rotatable sleeve (82) as discussed above. The fencing connection member (84) extends along the sleeve (82).

[0042] The tensioner (80) thus extends outwardly generally perpendicular to the post. The sleeve may be easily and quickly rotated 360° about rotational axis X by turning rotational nuts (87A and/or 87B) without clamping to the outside surface of the sleeve. This allows the operator to turn the sleeve without any possible contact to the fencing material. Further, the use of the rotational nuts does not result in damage to the outer wall of the sleeve which reduces potential damage to the fencing material as it wraps around the tensioner sleeve.

[0043] Brackets (106 and 108) may be attached to post (60) by any type of fastener (110) or by welding (112) or both. Post (60) may be part of an existing fence line to which the user wishes to attach new fence material or to which the user wishes to improve the tensioning system. The operation of tensioning member (80) is essentially the same as that described above. A fencing material connection member (84) may be the alternative (84A) attached to the outer surface of sleeve (82) for receiving and securing wires (25) of the fencing material (20). Locking nuts (97 and 99) secure sleeve (82) once the proper tension is obtained.

[0044]FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment (80C) of the present invention with a pre-assembled mounting bracket (110). Bracket (110) is adapted to be attached to any termination or support post along the fence line. In FIG. 6, mounting holes (200 and 201) are provided.

[0045] The sleeve (82) of the tensioner (80C) is as previously described. Either of several types of fencing material connection members (84 or 84A) may be employed. Top plate (85) and bottom plate (87) are rigidly secured to the sleeve with stub ends or journals (120 and 122) welded or otherwise secured to the plates. Mounting arms (107 and 109) of post bracket (110) are provided with holes to accept and pass stubs or journals (120 and 122) therethrough. Lock nuts (124 and 126) are threadingly run down the journal ends. At the distal end of each of the journals (120 and 122) are rigidly attached rotation nuts (128 and 130).

[0046] Thus, it may be understood that after the tensioner (80C) is mounted to a post by means of bracket (110), the fencing material is attached to the sleeve (82) via connection member (84). The sleeve (82) may be rotated about its rotational axis (X) by turning rotational nuts (128 and 130) with a wrench (150) until the proper fence material tension force is obtained. The sleeve (82) is about to rotate over the full 360° range. Once the tension is correct, the lock nuts (124 and 126) are tightened to prevent further rotation. Again, the outer sleeve walls are not contacted by the rotation tool or wrench (150).

[0047] Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. On the contrary, various modifications of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications, alternatives, and equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A tensioning apparatus for a fence system having fencing material extending between support fence posts, said tensioner apparatus rotatable with a rotation tool, said tensioning apparatus comprising: a generally cylindrical sleeve member having a rotational axis and outer side walls; a journal attached to said sleeve and cooperating with said sleeve to allow said sleeve to rotate 360° about said rotational axis; a fencing material connection member on said sleeve adapted to receive and retain said fencing material as said sleeve is rotated about said rotational axis; a rotational member affixed to said sleeve to enable said sleeve to be rotated without contacting said outer side walls with said rotation tool; and a locking member attached to said journal to prevent rotation of said sleeve about said rotational axis after said fencing material has been tensioned between said support posts.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a bracket for mounting said sleeve member to one of said support fence posts. 